MANILA, 24 October 2005 — Bahrain-based Gulf Air is to begin talks with Philippine negotiators today to discuss its proposal to triple its flights to the Southeast Asian country, the airline’s top official said here. “We are looking forward to expand our business, our flight frequencies here in Manila since most of our passengers are Filipinos,” Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan told reporters late Saturday. The carrier now flies three times a week to Manila from Bahrain, Dublin, and Johannesburg. The Philippines is a major exporter of skilled workers to the Middle East and elsewhere. Airline officials would meet officials of the transportation and foreign departments as well as the Civil Aeronautics Board to discuss its request, said Gulf Air country manager Roberto Hukom.